Translator: 549690339
âColin, I guess I canât attend the banquet tonight, can I?â
Vera asked as she straightened the collar of the manâs clothes.
By now, Colin had already changed into a standard black noblemanâs tailcoat. He hugged Vera and gave a light kiss on her soft red lips.
âYes, right now you are a âseverely injuredâ person, so you obviously canât attend the banquet.â
âFine.â Vera pouted, seemingly a little aggrieved, but she soon asked in confusion, âBut Iâve shown up in front of the Half-Elf nobles many times before, they must know that Iâm not severely injured, right?â âSilly girl, sometimes lying isnât about making others believe.â
âThen what is it for?â
âItâs to give each other an unspoken way out.â
The confusion in Veraâs eyes didnât lessen.
Colin smiled and ruffled the young girlâs hair: âThe Eastern Province knows weâre lying, and we know they know weâre lying, but as long as Silver Moon City is still in our hands, they have to treat our lie as truth.â
Vera understood, and then she became somewhat worried: âWhat if the Eastern Province Army takes Silver Moon City?â n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âIn that case, whatever lies they tell will become reality.â Colin said lightly, and his tone then became firm, âBut as long as Iâm here, theyâd better not think about taking Silver Moon City!â
âYeah, I trust you.â
When night fell, the Half-Elf Palace became lively again.
Although they had just experienced a fierce military coup, the enthusiasm of the Half-Elf nobles for the banquet hadnât receded at all.
Tonight, Queen Isa was wearing a purple rose-patterned evening dress that revealed her smooth, fair back. She was very tall, and a pair of silver high heels made her look like a lonely, proud swan. The presence made all the men present feel ashamed and dared not stand beside her.
After carefully dressing up, the radiant Queen Isa raised her cup and said loudly: âLadies and Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce a distinguished guest from the Eastern Province of the Glorious EmpireâViscount Auston!â
Loud applause ensued.
Viscount Auston looked around, bowed gracefully and saluted.
Next, the Viscount from the Eastern Province also raised a glass of champagne, and said loudly:
âOn this occasion, I am here on behalf of Marquis Vincent, for the peace of
Silver Moon City, for the friendship between the Eastern Province and the Half-Elf Kingdom, and of course, to admire Her Majesty Queen Isa! Letâs toast to lasting peace and friendship, and to the everlasting youth of Her Majesty the
Queen!â
âHereâs to lasting friendship!â
âLong live the Queenâs everlasting youth!â
The atmosphere of the banquet gradually warmed up.
Queen Isa, leading Colin, came before Viscount Auston, introducing with a radiant smile, âViscount Auston, allow me to introduce, this is Viscount Angler from the North Territory.
Both of you are Viscounts of the Empire, I believe you must have a lot in common.â
Viscount Auston extended his hand to Colin with a laugh, âOf course, to be honest, Iâve been hearing a lot about Viscount Angler for a long time.â
Colin also shook hands with him with a smile, saying, âOh? I wonder what kind of reputation youâve heard about me?â
âOf course a good one. I heard that you once fought alongside Marquis Garcia on the Sky Ice Plain, defeating a Troll Army of three hundred thousand!â âHaha, that was all Marquis Garciaâs credit, I just happened to be there to join in the fun.
âYou are too modest.â Viscount Austonâs smile suddenly became somewhat ambiguous, âBesides, I have also heard something about your close relationship with Miss Vera!â
âIt is indeed true that I have a deep admiration for Miss Vera.â Colin nodded and admitted. After all, having proposed to her once, it didnât make sense to deny it anymore.
âI wonder how severe is the injury Miss Vera sustained this time?â
âIt is indeed quite severe. Although there is no immediate threat to her life, she will need to recuperate for a considerable period of time.â
âAh! I heard that Miss Vera was attacked in an assassination attempt. Who could be so brazen?â Viscount Austonâs face showed unmistakable outrage.
âIt was Prince Topaz.â
âPrince Topaz?â Viscount Auston exclaimed in surprise, âIsnât he Miss Veraâs fiancé?â âYes.â
âBut whyâ¦â
âBecause he discovered that I was Veraâs first man.
ââ¦â Faced with Colinâs candidness, Viscount Auston found himself at a loss for words.
Before coming here, he had of course heard from Count Evan about the events that had transpired in Silver Moon City.
He also knew that everything had started from the virginity test that unfolded within the Queenâs bedchamber.
However, just like everyone else, Viscount Auston found Prince Topazâs sudden violent reaction to be rather outlandish.
Now, after hearing Colin admit to his secret love affair with Vera, he found a growing sense of confusion within him.
âViscount Angler, forgive my frankness, but I find it hard to believe that Prince Topaz would attempt to murder someone because he discovered your secret relationship with Vera. This reasonâ¦it seems far-fetched.â
Colin merely smiled, then suddenly lowered his voice: âThen would you like to know the true reason why Topaz committed murder?â
âWhat is it?â Viscount Auston instinctively leaned forward, asking softly.
âThatâs becauseâ¦â Colin whispered into Viscount Austonâs ear, âTopaz was acting under the instruction of Duke St. Hilde. He wanted Vera to die within the Half-Elf Palace! â
âThatâ¦thatâs impossibleâ¦â Viscount Auston sat there, wide-eyed, struggling to believe Colin.
However, seeing the serious look on Colinâs face, as well as the approving gaze of Queen Isa at his side, Viscount Auston sobered up, pondering carefully over every word.
Suddenly, he realized that perhaps it was indeed the truth.
âSo Duke St. Hildeâ¦done this to justify his invasion of the Half-Elf Kingdom?â
âYes,â replied Colin solemnly, âI loathed the idea of Vera meeting her untimely death, so I risked my life to save her.â
âI seeâ¦â It was only then that Viscount Auston felt everything made sense.
But then another doubt surfaced â why would Colin tell him all this?
Seeing the confusion written across Viscount Austonâs face, Colin spoke again, âSir, why Iâm telling you all this is because I want you to understand that I have gone against the wishes of Duke St. Hilde in order to save Miss Vera.
An unfortunate consequence of this is the fall of the Dark Cavalry in Shadow Gorge.
So, it is safe to say that Duke St. Hildeâs plans to usurp the Half-Elf Kingdom have essentially failed.
My worry now isâ¦â
âYou fear that Duke St. Hilde will turn his anger onto you?â Viscount Auston thought he finally understood Colinâs actions.
âYes,â Colin nodded repeatedly.
After a moment of hesitation, he lowered his voice, âWould you be able to deliver a message to Marquis Vincent for me?â
âPlease go ahead.â
Colin clenched his teeth, as if making a resolute decision: âI wish to pledge my allegiance to the St.. Prowse family!â